Many in Jesus’ day were disgusted with the commercialism that had crept into the practices at the Temple in Jerusalem. This place, the Temple, was the holiest place in this world for Jews. One of the obligations of a good Jew in the time of Jesus was to go to Jerusalem at the time of Passover, and offer a sacrifice in the Temple: those who were wealthy offered an entire ox or sheep; those with less means offered turtledoves. And so there grew up a very large market during the time around Passover, a system within which many abuses developed. Jesus undoubtedly had many people cheering for Him as He castigated the Jewish officials and the money-makers in the Temple.

But how many people cheered for Him when the Jews asked for a sign from Jesus, and He replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”? Probably some were baffled. Likely, some became angry at Jesus: here He had purified the Temple, and now—so it seemed—He wanted to destroy it? The Scriptures go on to tell us that Jesus’ own disciples only came to understand his words after His Resurrection. So we only imagine what those who did not know Jesus well thought of these words. For ourselves, Christ is the Temple, of which we are part through the Church. We need to allow God’s grace to purify ourselves as Jesus cleansed the Temple, so that right sacrifice might be offered there.

Endorsements

"Father Hoisington's Reflections on the Sacred Liturgy reflects his intelligence, his prayerfulness, and his apostolic zeal to share with others the fruit of his contemplation. This work is a great help towards a full, conscious, and active participation in Holy Mass, which in turn helps toward spiritual transformation, which in its turn results in the transformation of the world. Read on!" The Most Rev. Michael Jackels
Archbishop of Dubuque

“Reflections on the Sacred Liturgy is a very beautiful and useful website. Sacred worship and on-going liturgical formation should be at the center of everyone’s spiritual life, priest and lay-faithful alike. Fr. Hoisington has provided us with the means to deepen our love and devotion to the sacred worship of the Church.”
The Most Rev. James Conley
Bishop of Lincoln

"These reflections are the substance of things hoped for and bear fruit a hundred-fold for those who ponder their content."The Most Rev. Eugene GerberBishop Emeritus of Wichita